Often Irreverent, Mostly Rational Blog for Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays. One Day, We'll Be Perfect.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

It's always sunny in Toronto

I don't know much about former Jays Assistant GM Bart Given, but I know he's probably had better days. A quick scan of the headlines this morning revealed that Given is no longer a member of the front office. If nothing else, it might be another notch in the power belt of potential-GM-in-waiting Alex Anthopoulos.

JP Ricciardi sent out this cheerful note via MLB's messaging system announcing his "departure":

"Please be advised that Bart Given is no longer an employee of the Toronto Blue Jays. Bart wishes to remain in baseball, and can be reached at this phone number. Thank you."

Hey JP, ease up on the superlatives, will ya?

MeanwhileOur winter of discontent continues, as the pattern of no news is bad news carries on in an infinite loop. Oh sure, JP says the team might free up some money if the right veteran falls into their lap....though Wilner says it would probably have to be for less than a million bucks. Yay.

In other news, mlb.com's Jordan Bastian also reports that the Jays might just be talking to a Japanese pitcher right now. He must be a keeper if there's zero buzz anywhere about this. Hip hip (come on everybody......).

If the A's are actually going with Daric Barton or Chris Carter at first then I can see them parting with Cust to fill a need elsewhere, but considering those guys' lack of a positive track record, I can see them putting Giambi at first and keeping Cust the DH.

The thing with getting Cust is that it would depend on JP lying about some things and not others. If he's telling the truth about having no money and about wanting to give the ABs to Lind and Snider, then there's no room for Cust. If he's lying about the money and the ABs for Snider, then he can afford a free agent.